​Raffi Quirke, the scrum-half who has recently joined Newcastle Red Bulls after leaving Sale Sharks, has been named in England’s squad for their Nations Championship clash with Argentina next Saturday. He steps in as a replacement for the injured Alex Mitchell, who had to withdraw after suffering a hamstring issue during England’s dominant 73-8 victory over Fiji in Liverpool on Saturday.
Quirke, who is 24, has made two international appearances and previously became England’s youngest scrum-half in more than nine decades when he debuted in 2021. He also played for an England XV against a France XV in a Nations Championship warm-up in France last month, furthering his involvement with the national setup.
In addition to Quirke, coach Steve Borthwick has several other options at scrum-half for England’s final Test of the summer. Leicester’s Jack van Poortvliet and Bath’s Ben Spencer remain in contention to feature at Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, as England finalize their plans for the match against Argentina.
This week’s news follows Quirke’s path from Sale Sharks to Newcastle, a move that positions him to compete for a starting role in a squad that has faced some disruption in the half-back position due to injuries. His call-up adds depth to England’s options and provides another avenue for the coaching staff as they evaluate the best combination for the closing Test of the summer tour.
Listeners can stay tuned to the latest developments, including analyses of player selections and tactical considerations, as England aims to conclude their summer campaign on a strong note. For broader rugby coverage, consider exploring the latest episodes of rugby-focused podcasts, which offer insights into team selection, player form, and strategy as the international season progresses.